Coglianese / NYRA Photo Photo

Snap Decision makes it three in a row over the jumps in William Entenmann Memorial

by Ryan Martin

Bruton Street-US' Snap Decision backed up his 1-2 favoritism with a winning effort in the 8th running of the $75,000 William Entenmann Memorial - a steeplechase event at Belmont Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Trained by Jack Fisher, who saddled three horses in the 2 ¼-mile event, Snap Decision was placed toward the rear of the field in the early stages as Arch My Boy led the field of seven through the first five jumps. Approaching the sixth fence, Sportswear and Arch My Boy raced up front in tandem with the former taking command through the final three jumps.

Following the last fence, Snap Decision was angled to the outside of Sportswear and took command at the top of the stretch under little urging from rider William McCarthy. A resurgent Arch My Boy made a late bid but Snap Decision kept his foe at bay to win by 2 lengths. Arch My Boy finished 5 lengths ahead of 21-1 longshot Chief Justice, who was third.

McCarthy, who piloted Snap Decision to all four of his prior starts over jumps, was pleased with the horse's effort.

"I had a good trip. My horse showed diversity today. There really was no steady pace and he was pretty keen with me. He's still learning to relax. His jumping was spot on," McCarthy said. "Once I jumped the last fence, I was tired of holding him and I had to let him out a little bit. As soon as I let out half an inch of rein, he just took off underneath me. He's a great horse. His flat pedigree is phenomenal and we're fortunate to have a horse like him run over jumps. He was a high class horse in flat racing but just not reaching the top level. But, he's an awful high class horse in jumps and it looks like he'll be around awhile."

Bred in Kentucky by Phipps Stable, Snap Decision won his previous start over the jumps at Saratoga by an eye-opening 38 1/2 lengths. Wednesday's race was a fifth start over hurdles for Snap Decision, who previously raced over flats for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey. He is by Hard Spun out of black type producer Salute, who also produced 2014 Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational winner Mr. Speaker.

Snap Decision benefited from the scratch of Teodoro, who entered off of double-digit winning margins over jumps at Fair Hill and Saratoga Race Course.

"The scratch helped. It took the speed out of the race. Our horse had the best flat form of anyone in here, so just get him to the last (jump) and then let him run," Fisher said.

Returning $3.10 for a $2 win bet, Snap Decision increased his lifetime record to 23-5-4-6.

Completing the order of finish were City Dreamer, Sportswear, Cracker Factory and Veneer of Charm.